The Competition Commission will next month hold public hearings for the Data Services Market Inquiry.

The Commission initiated the Market Inquiry following numerous complaints relating to data services in the country.

“The Market Inquiry seeks to understand features in the market and the value chain that may cause or lead to high prices for data services. It also seeks to make recommendations that would result in lower prices for data services,” the Commission said.

In August last year, the Commission launched a Market Inquiry into data services with the release of the terms of reference and call for submissions.

A number of stakeholders in the data services sector made submissions in response to the call for submissions.

The Market Inquiry will be held on 17 and 18 October 2018 in Gauteng, following the extension of the Market Inquiry’s deadline to 31 March 2019.

“The Market Inquiry will cover all market participants involved at any point in the value chain for data services that are provided to customers such as government, businesses, trade associations, public entities, regulatory authorities and end-consumers in South Africa,” the Commission said.